| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 376.14 | Using computers in your callings | STING::PERM | Kevin R. Ossler | Tue Feb 21 1989 15:32 | 37 |
| Hi, everyone! May I take this opportunity to turn to more mundane
matters?
I'm in the process of setting up the Home Teaching organization for a
new branch. There are about 350 members in 114 families (its a big
branch). We have about 25 available home teachers as senior
companions, and an as-yet-to-be-determined number of junior
companions. So it's not a simple job.
The "Membership Information System" made available to the units of the
Church is nice; it keeps track of names, addresses, and lots of little
details. But, of course, like any system, you only get out what you
put in. Even with a crackerjack Branch Clerk, it will take a while for
him to load up the machine with all the relevant data, match it
against the records from Salt Lake, keep on top of updates, etc. In
the meantime, Home Teaching can't wait.
I want to avoid at all costs doing a big paperwork project just for
Home Teaching. Heaven knows the burden of paperwork waxes exceedingly
mighty upon the children of Israel as it is. :-)
We're toying with the idea of setting up a separate database which
would hold just the demographic info relevant to home teaching (names,
address, date-of-birth, ordination(s), etc.), plus a few additional
items that the Church's software does not keep track of (record of
home teaching visits, prior home teacher's name, etc.)
There are a lot of positives to this idea, and few negatives. Any
reactions? Has this been done before? If so, where?
And beyond this one example, what other ways have you found to use
technology to help with your callings? Perhaps an exchange of ideas on
this subject will help someone looking for a new approach in their
callings.
/kevin
|
| 376.15 | Expand the database? | CLIMB::LEIGH | Blessed are the meek; | Tue Feb 21 1989 15:55 | 22 |
| Hi Kevin,
I'm not familiar with the "Membership Information System" provided by the
Church. The ideal thing would be to have one database for the whole ward and
then extract subsets for home teaching, Primary, etc. If you create your own
database for home teaching, then you end up having to maintain it as well
as the one from the Church.
Does the "Membership Information System" allow you to expand the record
format for each entry in the database so you could include additional
items on each person? If so, then you could define the type of record
you need for each entry and "quickly" add the home teaching fields for
your membership. At a slower pace, you could go back and fill in the
other fields in the records.
The only experience I've had with high-tech and Church callings was to
create a temporary database on my home computer to track those who were
going on a Temple trip (this was before the Wards had their own computer).
Good luck with your new calling!
Allen
|
| 376.16 | | NEXUS::S_JOHNSON | | Tue Feb 21 1989 16:47 | 45 |
| >Does the "Membership Information System" allow you to expand the record
>format for each entry in the database so you could include additional
>items on each person? If so, then you could define the type of record
>you need for each entry and "quickly" add the home teaching fields for
>your membership. At a slower pace, you could go back and fill in the
>other fields in the records.
The MIS software is kind of rigid. It is highly menu driven and
does not allow you to modify it much. Generally speaking, it has
two types of record structures. One is the family record which
lists the name, address, phone number, and family members names,
birth dates and status (F,M,D,T,P,E,S,H,U,N, etc.). The other record
type is the individual record which contains every thing about the
individuals. There is a field for home teachers and visiting teachers.
I think there are 4 user defined fields for each individual. The
one good thing about the MIS program is that it is good for generating
reports even though it is slow. It takes 45 minutes to print a
roster when it is being run off of the floppies. It takes 20 minutes
if the data is loaded into RAM. They are supposed to be coming
out with a new version by December which requires a hard disk.
Right now it is optional. Also, we are not required to update.
Our ward uses high tech quite a bit. Some of the auxiliary
organizations use computers to generate fliers and agendas. The
bishop, ward clerk and high priest group leader of our ward use
computers to maintain their own databases of the people they need
information about. To me this seems kind of redundant but, hey
it's their time. Our stake mission president is constantly generating
reports, lists and what not for his missionaries. Currently, the
PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
hard disk has been crashing.
We currently have a ward clerk with 2 membership clerks. I get
to push papers and the other membership clerk is responsible for
the roster as it is on the computer.
Like Allan mentioned, a fast way to get up is to create each family
record with just the names and add home teachers to it. Then go
back and put in the other stuff.
Hope this helps.
scott
PS. Is this for the new Cambodian ward out there?
|
| 376.17 | | STING::PERM | Kevin R. Ossler | Tue Feb 21 1989 19:38 | 35 |
| RE: < Note 213.1 and .2 >
Hi! Thanks for the info. Some additional questions....
Is it not possible to download information from the MIS database to a
datafile, which can in turn be used by a separate set of programs?
Thus it should be possible to receive "feeds" from the clerk
periodically, or at least be able to reconcile the two sets of data
mechanically.
It will probably be the Elders' quorum & the home teaching
organization which will be aware of most changes before the clerk
is. Yes, this is for the new Lowell (Asian) branch that has just
been formed in Massachusetts. It sometimes seems that all our
Cambodian brothers and sisters ever spend their time doing is moving
from place to place, so the home teachers are usually the first to
find out that someone has moved.
> Currently, the
> PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
> hard disk has been crashing.
If (when) this should happen to our computer, I'd have a nervous
breakdown, as would several other people. To me this argues for a
degree of redundancy in keeping ward records.
So having a tool to keep track of people, under separate control and
updated on a more frequent basis than the MIS system, seems to be what
is needed. Is it the case that the MIS system has to be in sync with
Salt Lake? Can you put people in your computer even if they aren't
'officially' part of your ward? If you do, what problems does this
create?
Thanks again,
/kevin
|
| 376.18 | Additional Answers | NEXUS::S_JOHNSON | | Wed Feb 22 1989 12:40 | 77 |
| >Is it not possible to download information from the MIS database to a
>datafile, which can in turn be used by a separate set of programs?
>Thus it should be possible to receive "feeds" from the clerk
>periodically, or at least be able to reconcile the two sets of data
>mechanically.
Yes. Our stake membership clerk comes around and asks us to put
our data files on a floppy. I don't know if he runs an extraction
program to create mailing labels or if he uses the mail label creation
feature of the MIS program. He uses the mailing labels for the
stake newsletter.
>> Currently, the
>> PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
>> hard disk has been crashing.
>If (when) this should happen to our computer, I'd have a nervous
>breakdown, as would several other people. To me this argues for a
>degree of redundancy in keeping ward records.
In talking with our bishop last night, he mentioned that we might
be getting a computer for our ward. The PC we use right now is
for the building and is shared by another ward. If that happens
we will do things differently, hopefully better.
Anytime we make any updates to the data files, we do backup
the files to 3 different disks. The method we have developed is
that the MIS software is used to keep an accurate picture of what
the ward currently looks like. Don't forget that we still have
the actual membership records in the usual membership records box.
Once a quarter, Salt Lake sends a reconciliation disk which goes
thru and compares what they have with what is on our computer and
then prints a report of differences. We use this reconciliation
report among other things to insure that what they have is accurate.
In the end, what we have is the computer data which reflects the
membership at any given time. The data in the computer box is the
2nd most accurate because of the time lag in getting information
between here and Salt Lake. Finally, Salt Lake records are the
3rd most accurate.
> So having a tool to keep track of people, under separate control and
>updated on a more frequent basis than the MIS system, seems to be what
>is needed. Is it the case that the MIS system has to be in sync with
>Salt Lake? Can you put people in your computer even if they aren't
>'officially' part of your ward? If you do, what problems does this
>create?
When someone moves in we put them on the computer right away
and request there records from Salt Lake. When the records get
here we update what we have on the computer with dates and numbers.
When someone moves out, we take them off the computer when we find
out they are gone and send the info to Salt Lake. When the they
acknowledge our info, we then take them out of the box. I guess,
for right now, it would probably be ok to put people on who are
not officially part of the ward. We do it with non-member spouses
if that is what your referring to. The reason for this is that
one of the reports which can be requested regards single adults
and if the member does not have a spouse listed on the computer
they get counted as a single. Sometimes, we put dummy spouse names
into override this feature when we have a difficult time getting
the info.
I think the long range goal is to use modems or something to actually
link into the computers in Salt Lake and do the updates ourselves.
There are some things about the software that I don't like and
hoepfully they will have improved it in the next release. One is the
fact that there are no short cut keys to get to certain menus without
having to go thru other menus. The other is the way the data is
retrieved when it is printed. It appears that they buffer one
individual record at a time whereas they could fetch more than one at a
time. Remember, this is my own speculation so I could be wrong.
Another policy is that the MIS software and data cannot be removed
from the chapel. A copy of the data files can but not the original
data files. They are just like real membership records.
scott
|
| 376.19 | One way in use | STEREO::CARDON | | Tue Mar 07 1989 19:41 | 16 |
| In Nashua II we use the Executive Sec's data base as the "best"
and primary data base. I (as the ward newletter printer) send him
any new information I may receive and the other organizations do
the same. He provides the library with an up to date ward list
and he provides me with a floppy periodically so I can insure my
data base reflects the most current data. If you are statring from
scratch I'd select a good data base package and get copies for each
organization to insure compatibility. My package and the Exec Sec's
are differrent but I can easily read his files. Others, however,
are not so fortunate. Since the Exec Sec data base contains all
information he does not copy the fields I'm not interested in, but
could copy different fields for each organization (ie. birthdays
for Primary, etc.). If you would like I'll be glad to talk to you
about the data base I use and could point you to our Exec Sec.
Dennis Cardon
|
| 376.20 | | NEXUS::S_JOHNSON | | Tue Mar 14 1989 14:34 | 8 |
| >I'm trying to figure out what PAF for, with no luck. If it is software
>for the IBM PC, then chances are that it will not run at all on your
>Rainbow.
I think the PAF stands for the Personal Ancestory File software.
It is ms-dos compatible and is sold at Deseret Book.
scott
|
| 376.21 | Thanks Penny | NEXUS::S_JOHNSON | | Wed Mar 15 1989 16:48 | 217 |
| From: SMURF::SOUSA "Penny Sousa * DTN 381-0545 * ZKO3-3/T13 15-Mar-1989 1332" 15-MAR-1989 11:32
To: SCOTT
Subj: PAF.........what it is! (Saw your reply in Mormonism notesfile)
From: SMURF::SOUSA "Penny Sousa * DTN 381-0545 * ZKO3-3/T13" 15-MAR-1989 13:29:22.13
To: SMURF::SOUSA
CC:
Subj: PAF
<<< CLT::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GENEALOGY.NOTE;1 >>>
-< ROOTS >-
================================================================================
Note 209.0 Personal Ancestral File (Software) 7 replies
BAGELS::SOUSA 199 lines 31-MAR-1988 15:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd just like to give you a brief description of the software put
out by the LDS (Mormon) Church as a genealogical management system
for home computers. I purchased the software about 6 months ago
but I have not purchased a computer yet. I understand it does
not work on the Rainbow, which I use daily at work, but I do know
other friends who have this package and are VERY satisfied with
it.
Here is what the brochure says about it. In fact, I picked up the
brochure at the LDS Genealogical Library in Nashua, N.H.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Standard for Genealogical Software
o If you are looking for a useful genealogy program package for
your personal computer, Personal Ancestral File (TM) is your
answer.
o Personal Ancestral File brings to you a system designed to
simplify your genealogical record keeping.
o Developed and distributed by the Genealogical Department of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is powerful
and sophisticated, yet easy to use.
o Personal Ancestral File offers three unique programs: Family
Records; Research Data Filer; and GEDCOM (Genealogical Data
Communications), a communications program
o The software package includes a user manual in a deluxe easel
style 3-ring 8-by-9-inch binder with diskettes included.
Family Records
The Family Records program enables you to assemble your pedigree
and at the same time compile a wealth of genealogical information
for each of your ancestors. You can enter the following
information about each ancestor:
o Name (surname and up to three given names)
o Gender
o Title, if any (Dr. etc.)
o Birth date and place and/or christening date and place
o Death and burial dates and places
o Spouse, marriage date, and place of marriage
o LDS-ordinance dates and places (if applicable)
o User-assigned ID number
Notes
In addition to recording the previous information, Personal
Ancestral File enables you to enter historical information or
source reference notes for each individual--valuable background
information every genealogist wants to keep.
Storage
You store this information on a diskette other than a program
diskette, enabling you to record information about an unlimited
number of people. You are only limited by the number of diskettes
you want to buy. For each diskette, the system assigns a unique
number (called a Record Identification Number) for each of your
ancestors, aiding information retrieval. In addition to this
number you may assign to each ancestor an ID number unique within
your file.
Family grouping
The program enables you to group families together, linking
you with your spouse, children, parents and siblings (and
repeating that for each generation).
Pedigree searches
As you enter more and more information and establish the links
from family to family, the program also allows you to search
your pedigree lines on a given diskette and either display or
print them in a chart.
Printouts
The program can print blank or filled-in pedigree charts and
Family Group Record forms in either letter or legal size. For
Latter-day Saints, the program can also produce completed name
submission forms for temple ordinances as well as lists of
persons whose temple work has not been completed.
All of the information entered on any person can be printed
out, including history notes.
Sort Capability
The system will also sort and print lists--such as names of
individuals ordered alphabetically, by Record Identification
Number or by user-assigned ID number.
Research Data Filer
A separate program to help you manage large volumes of original
research data. Using this program you can--
o Document the information sources you used,
including details about the author, publisher,
page, library, etc.
o Search, sort, or print the information by event
(birth, marriage, military service, death, etc.)
place, date, name of person, or relationship to
others.
The Research Data Filer does not teach you research principles
or strategies; however, it does help organize research date
so that you can analyze it more efficiently.
GEDCOM(Genealogical Data Communications)
This communications program performs the following:
o Converts all or part of your Family Records data
into a transmission data format so that you can
send it to another Personal Ancestral File user
o Transmits converted data to another Personal
Ancestral File user
o Receives data from another Personal Ancestral
File user
o Converts data received from another Personal
Ancestral File user to the Family Records format
for use on the receiving computer
GEDCOM can also be used to copy a portion of one of your
data diskettes onto another one.
Please Note:
A few final words about Personal Ancestral File:
o Personal Ancestral File operates only on your
personal computer, it does not provide access to
any of the computer files in the Genealogical
Department.
o Forms printed by the system will be accepted by
the Genealogical Department for four-generation
filing or for LDS temple ordinances.
o Personal Ancestral File enables you to group
families together and link them from generation
to generation based upon the relationships that
you enter into the system.
o This genealogical software was developed as an
aid for those who own or have access to a personal
computer. The Genealogical Department does not
encourage you to purchase a personal computer
simply to use this software.
o Those who have used release 1.0 for the IBM
computer can convert their data for use with
release 2.0
Versions Available For:
o MS-DOS computers
o Apple computers
o CP/M computers
Inquiries into system requirements of those and other versions
should be addressed to:
Ancestral File Operations Unit
Genealogical Department
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
(801) 531-2584
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The above telephone number is the one I called when I placed my
order. When the clerk answered, I simply told her I'd like to
order the Personal Ancestral File (TM) software. It cost only
$35.00 about 6 months ago and I doubt if the price has gone up
since then. I charged it on my Master Card.
Does anyone know where I can get a computer that won't cost me
a lot of money and will allow me to use this software? I live
in Chelmsford, Massachusetts but I'd like to purchase it in
New Hampshire if at all possible (save on sales tax whenever possible).
Hope this information has been helpful,
Penny Sousa
DTN 226-5550
Littleton, MA facility (LKG2-A/W2)
BAGELS::SOUSA
|
| 376.22 | Journals and PAF | QBUS::MUELLER | | Fri Mar 17 1989 16:16 | 37 |
| RE .1
Thanks Rich,
The day that I had entered this note my wife, who has been keeping
journals since junior high, had decided to look in her journal and
mine for dates when we had started our respective callings. I am
ashamed to say that she had dates for all of both of our callings
and looking in my journal I only had the date for one of mine.
This is not a real supprise considering that the last entry in mine
was April of 1985.
After doing a lot of soul searching and reading the previous entries
in my journal I have made a commitment to myself and my posterity(sp)
that I will begin and continue to write in my journal. I want to
thank you Rich, for reminding me how important a journal can be.
Also a Thanks to Penny Sousa for mailing me a copy of the message
that Scott also put in the previous reply. And thanks to Scott for
posting the message.
And I'd also like to thank my producer, the director and my agent
Bernie for making it possible to recieve this.....
Sorry sometimes I get carried away.
I have been in contact with the church software and distribution
depts. reguarding PAF for Rainbows. It will run, but there is no
offical distribution for the Rainbow. But, if you buy the 5 and
1/4" package for the IBM PC the software dept. will convert the
disks. If there's any interest I'll post the proceedure and necessary
info.
B.T.W. Penny, I ordered PAF ver 2.1 last week and I'll let you know
how it runs. It may be awhile though, this package is on back order
for at least 3 weeks. Sound familiar?
Frank (who now keeps a journal) Mueller
|
| 376.23 | More Information | NEXUS::S_JOHNSON | | Wed Apr 05 1989 18:25 | 16 |
| If your unit is using the MIS software and the clerk staff is on
it's toes, the current unit organization information should be in
the data files.
This data, among other stuff should be stored in the MIS system
so the bishop or branch president can get an accurate picture of
who holds what positions in the ward.
I would have entered this information earlier if I would have known
about it. I was just released as membership clerk and am now the
executive secretary and am learning about the other aspects of the
MIS software package. As a membership clerk, I was only concerned
with the individual and family records and not the other "features"
of the package and now I get to learn about these other features.
scott
|
| 376.8 | Computers removed from temples? | VAOU02::GURR | | Sat Feb 09 1991 02:52 | 9 |
| I heard that the Church is removing the computers from all the temples
because they are too expensive to operate.
Does anyone know if this is true?
What kind of computers are used in the temples?
Don Gurr
Vancouver, B.C.
|
| 376.9 | I don't think so | SUOSW4::WILLOUGHBY | FRANKly speaking | Mon Feb 11 1991 12:17 | 15 |
| I don't have any information (yet) to back this up, but I would
doubt that it is true.
Trememdous advances in genealogical work are taking place (even as
we speak), one of which is to allow members to do work for their
ancesters in a much more efficient fashion than was previously
possible. Instead of waiting a year or so after submitting names
to Salt Lake, you should be able to have a 24-hour turnaround (or
better) for doing your temple-work.
This should be available soon (at a temple near you).
Best Regards,
Frank
|
| 376.10 | | CSCOA1::ROLLINS_R | | Mon Feb 11 1991 12:41 | 5 |
| Computers have been removed from the Atlanta Temple.
The rumor our bishop heard and suggested as a possibility
that they want to be able to run the temples without electricity.
Whether or not that is true, we have no idea.
|
| 376.11 | | SUOSW4::WILLOUGHBY | FRANKly speaking | Tue Feb 12 1991 10:02 | 13 |
|
Interesting, I didn't know that. (I guess it's time to head back to
the temple). 8^)
Many temples have a building adjacent to the temple for administrative
functions, genealogical work, etc. Perhaps the computers will be kept
there rather than in the temple itself.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Best Regards,
Frank
|
| 376.12 | Computers are still in | WCSM::POTTER | | Fri Feb 15 1991 19:14 | 6 |
| The Oakland Temple was recently renovated. They still use the
computers except they are no longer used for tracking the names
before and after the sessions. It was a problem because sometimes
people forgot to enter the card when done.
Ken
|
| 376.13 | Its costing too much... | CGOA01::IUS | Donald V. Ius - DTN: 638-6927 | Tue Feb 19 1991 04:14 | 6 |
| I asked about this and learned that the computers were costing far too
much when compared to the amount of effort they were saving.
Apparently they can save enough money in a year to build another
temple... or so I heard.
/Don Ius
|
| 376.1 | Good Job !!! | VAXSPO::BUENO | | Fri Feb 22 1991 20:22 | 17 |
| 376.2 | More informantion | FLATTP::MURRAY_RU | | Tue Feb 26 1991 19:57 | 63 |
| The church architecture principles are as follows:
Mission
1 The mission of the church is to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man.
2 The Church has a three fold mission. (This is what was explained
by Pres. Kimball)
Policy
1 Presiding councils will determin essential functions
2 Correlation will be used to ensure order and alignment
3 The essential functions of the church will be guided using the
perspective of the Stake President.
4 Presiding councils will guide invenstment of church resources.
Information
1 The Church will maintain on the informatino which is doctrinally
required.
2 Sound methods will be used to ensue accuracy ,etc.
3 Information will be collected, processed and stored as close to
source as possible.
4 Information will be managed to ensure it is used for approved
Church purposes.
Systems
1 Systems will support and sustain essential church functions.
2 Systems sill be designed for local priesthood leaders but accomdate
headquarters needs.
3 Manual or automated systems will be privided that are most cost
effective over time.
4 Church systems will ensure a one time capturing of information.
Technology
1 The technology used will be selected for maximum benefit over
time.
2 Only proven technology will be used.
3 Technology will be used only when users are ready.
4 Technology will be used only when a manual system is not viable
or simpler.
I have somewhat condensed these statements. Many appear to be obvious
and many are currently used. This is the first time that they have
been formally specified. I think that the church is on the right
track. Some of the interesting things that are mentioned are that
initial price is no longer of highest concern. Rather the cost
of the equipment over time is more important.
The current plan is to replace the current systems over the next
5 years. .-1 mentioned the temple system. They have not said what
migration paths all current systems will take. That is still being
worked out. In fact the new system is just being implemented in
many temples. We'll have to see where its going.
Please remember this is for internal use only.
Later,
Russell Murray
|
| 376.3 | | SOLVIT::ALLEN_R | | Fri Mar 08 1991 23:34 | 15 |
| interesting,
now as ward finance clerk I understand the recent changes in how data
gets handled, and why they haven't done more. I thought it was because
of the limitations of the programmer. :) Good thing I just logged in
here tonight and saw this, I think a few more sessions on FIS and my
Bishop would have had me in his office asking me to be a little more
reverent while entering the data.
So tell me, any plans to use our new imaging system, DECimage Express,
in the Church. I happen to be the Quote manager for it and see a great
potential for it. (of course) What about imaging overall, is there
anything going on there.
rich allen
|
| 376.4 | Just starting | HOTWTR::MURRAY_RU | | Wed Jun 12 1991 22:03 | 4 |
| They are just at the beginning stages of looking at imaging. There are
several departments looking at it though. I'll keep you posted.
Russell
|
| 376.5 | Computerworld article | CACHE::LEIGH | Let your light shine | Tue Jul 23 1991 12:24 | 118 |
| 376.6 | Church - all DEC now | CAPNET::RONDINA | | Wed Jul 24 1991 18:10 | 5 |
| We just had friends from SLC visiting. He works in the Records Dept of
the Presiding Bishopric's Office. The Church is now totally DEC, they
got rid of the Amdahl equipment.
|
| 376.7 | not quite yet | SALISH::MURRAY_RU | | Fri Sep 06 1991 17:14 | 19 |
|
-< Church - all DEC now >-
> We just had friends from SLC visiting. He works in the Records Dept of
> the Presiding Bishopric's Office. The Church is now totally DEC, they
> got rid of the Amdahl equipment.
re .-1 Not quite yet, although we hope it won't take a long time.
Both the AMdahl and the CDC machines are still here. Perhaps what
your friend meant was that there is to be no new development on the
Amdahl. Finance is one of the departments that is a DEC user.
Later,
Russell Murray
On site Specialist.
|